Dinner may be the main event on Thanksgiving, but it's nice to provide guests with something to snack on as they socialize before the meal. Browse our slideshow of upscale appetizers, or get ideas from the list below, from first-course soups and salads to casual bite-sized starters.

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12 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

These soups, salads and small bites are simple to make, and many can be made ahead of time for easy Thanksgiving Day prep.

View our scrumptious slideshow

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More Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

Make-Ahead Appetizers

Prepare these dishes ahead of time for lower-stress party setup on Thanksgiving Day. The savory biscotti and fruit compote can be made up to two months in advance, while the nut glaze and goat cheese-stuffed mushrooms can be made the day before your Thanksgiving gala.

Recipes to Try:

• Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms
  
• Aged Gouda Biscotti with Walnuts
  
• Nut-Glazed Brie
  
• Dried Fig and Port Wine Compote

Crostini or Bruschetta Bar

For a quick, sophisticated starter, serve toasted rounds of French bread or crunchy store-bought bagel chips with one or two toppings or spreads, like caramelized onions or chicken liver mousse.

Recipes to Try:

• Bagel Chips with Ricotta
  
• Caramelized Onion Toasts
  
• Chicken Liver Crostini
  
• White Bean-Artichoke Spread with Bruschetta

Simple Pre-Dinner Snacks

Thanksgiving dinner is the main event, so appetizers don't need to be fancy. Simple snacks, like spiced nuts, roasted olives and toasted pumpkin seeds, are perfect for pre-dinner noshing.

Recipes to Try:

• Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
  
• Cashews with Crispy Garlic and Sage
• Spiced Candied Nuts
  
• Lucca-Style Roasted Olives
  
• Cheese Straws

First-Course Salads

Start a sit-down meal with a savory salad studded with fall's abundant produce, like pears, squash, apples and beets.

Recipes to Try:

• Apple, Walnut and Celery Salad
  
• Autumn Fruit Salad with Panettone Crutons
  
• Arugula Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
  
• Emeril's Classic Spinach Salad
  
• Roasted Squash, Pecan and Blue
  Cheese Salad
  
• Warm Goat Cheese Salad
  
• Pickled Beet Salad over Frisee
  
• Fennel and Olive Salad

Savory Soups

Warm dinner guests from the inside out with a first-course bowl of squash or pumpkin soup. Serve soup to guests at a formal celebration, or stack small mugs next to the pot so visitors can help themselves.

Recipes to Try:

• Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
  
• Roasted Pumpkin Soup
  
• Butternut Squash and Parsnip Soup
  
• Sweet Potato and Andouille Soup
  
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
  
• Sweet Potato Bisque